Movable Sponge Carrier Valve for Liquid Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sponge-type dispensers fail to combine simple handling with continuous liquid supply while preventing unwanted liquid escape and maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A discharge head with a movable sponge carrier and a hollow connector that opens an outlet valve by translation, allowing continuous liquid flow to the sponge without deformation, using a spring mechanism and sealing components for efficient metering and prevention of liquid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sponge is made hard to maintain shape and reduce deformation, then the sponge can be pressed onto skin without excessive deformation, but the sponge cannot be compressed to open the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent functional components: the sponge (applicator) and the sponge carrier (actuator). The sponge maintains its hard, stable shape for skin application, while the sponge carrier is designed to move translationally to actuate the valve. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the sponge for shape stability and the carrier for operational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge carrier is designed with translational movement capability relative to the base, allowing it to dynamically change position from a retracted state to a pressed-in state. This dynamic movement of the carrier opens the outlet valve without requiring the sponge itself to deform, thus maintaining sponge shape stability while enabling easy operation.
2Ease of operation
If the outlet valve is opened by compressing the sponge, then the valve can be opened, but the sponge must be soft and deforms under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation function is separated from the applicator function. The sponge carrier serves as the actuating element that moves translationally to open the valve, while the sponge serves only as the applicator. This eliminates the need for the sponge to deform for valve opening, allowing use of harder, more shape-stable sponges.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge carrier acts as an intermediary between the user's pressing action and the outlet valve. Instead of the sponge directly compressing to open the valve, the carrier translates the pressing motion into valve actuation. This intermediary mechanism allows the sponge to remain rigid while still enabling easy valve operation.
3Device complexity
If the sponge carrier is fixed in the base, then the structure is simple, but continuous liquid supply to the sponge is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge carrier is designed to move translationally within the base rather than being fixed. This dynamic movement allows the carrier to be pressed in to open the outlet valve and then returned to a retracted position. The movement enables continuous liquid supply by periodically opening the valve to replenish the sponge, maintaining productivity without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translational movement of the sponge carrier enables continuous operation of the dispenser. By repeatedly pressing the carrier in to open the valve and then returning it, liquid is continuously supplied to the sponge, ensuring the applicator remains saturated and ready for use, thus maintaining continuous useful action.
4Productivity
If a movable sponge carrier with translational guidance is used to open the valve, then continuous liquid supply is achieved and hard sponges can be used, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge carrier is designed with simple translational movement capability guided by slots or grooves in the base. This dynamic element allows the carrier to move in and out to control the valve, enabling continuous liquid supply. The guidance structure is kept simple using basic mechanical features like slots, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable sponge carrier serves multiple functions: it acts as the actuator to open the outlet valve, provides the structural support for the sponge, and serves as part of the liquid delivery pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added mobility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy production, continuous, and safe liquid discharge with reduced manufacturing costs, allowing the use of hard sponges and efficient liquid supply without compression, while minimizing liquid loss.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism and a sealing component, in particular in one piece with the base
Implementation Method 2
an outlet valve which can be opened by moving the sponge carrier in the direction of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge head for a liquid dispenser for discharging cosmetic products which has a base to be secured to a liquid storage. The base has a coupling device in the form of a thread or a latching coupling device, for coupling to the liquid storage. The discharge head has a sponge carrier with a sponge receptacle in which a sponge is arranged. The sponge carrier is movable in a translationally guided manner with respect to the base and has a hollow connector inside which a liquid channel is provided that connects the liquid storage to the sponge receptacle. This liquid channel is provided with an outlet valve, which is opened by moving the sponge carrier in the direction of the base, such that liquid can flow freely out of the liquid storage into the sponge receptacle.